NEW: Cicilline Supports Occupy Movement

Congressman David Cicilline on Thursday said he supports the nearly three-week old Occupy Wall Street movement that has led to spinoff groups in dozens of cities across the country, including Providence.

While the former Providence Mayor did not get into specifics about the Occupy Providence group that started gaining attention last weekend, he applauded the public protests have sought to expose corporate greed and social inequality issues.

“Americans are tired of watching Wall Street speculators and corporate special interests call all the shots, and we’ve been held at their mercy for too long as they artificially drive up fuel prices and try to dodge responsibility for the housing crisis,” Cicilline said. “And these public protests have highlighted the urgency of addressing these important issues.”

Cicilline’s support comes one day after Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva and Keith Ellison released a statement in solidarity with the demonstrators on Wall Street and around the country. Cicilline joined the CPC in February.

“We have been inspired by the growing grassroots movements on Wall Street and across the country,” statement said. We share the anger and frustration of so many Americans who have seen the enormous toll that an unchecked Wall Street has taken on the overwhelming majority of Americans while benefitting the super wealthy. We join the calls for corporate accountability and expanded middle-class opportunity. “

The Occupy Providence group has been meeting all week in downtown locations to plan their first protest.